Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-05-26

Action and Relief of Serpent Poison,

The action or serpent venom wnen
introduced into the circulation Is ex-
ceedingly swift. First occurs an in-
tense burning pain in the part lacerat-
ed, succeeded by nausea, retching cold
ness. vomiting, numbness, faintness
and COLLAPSE: the surroundings are dis
colored by livid blotches as the result
of extensive blood disorganizatlon-not
by congulation as Is generally surmised
for the blood is now deprived OF its
iibrine, the principle upon which coagu.
lation depends-dissolying. alternating
and altering the form Of .he red corpu-
scles, the integrity of which is life,
causing them to adhere one To another
and to tie walls Of their conduts. Sec
ond the poison is conveyed to the brain.
overlooking its capillaries, and Undue
ing paralysis Of those organs that de-
rive power from thegreat nerve centres.
1t is not to be supposed, however, that
all OF even major portion of the blood
disks require to be decomposed TO en-
sure fatality, since death commonly SUI
pervenes long before such consumma-
tion can be realized. IL is the capillary
circulation that suffers most, the very
size and calibre of the trunk vessels af-
fording them comparative immunity.
1t is the agglutination Of disntergrated
and decomposed blood corpuscles, i'm
pending circulation, that procures the
peculiar livid blush with its attendant
swelling, n similar condition being in
duced also within the brain and spinal
cord.
Heart failure, and paralysis of the
muscles of respiration through reflex
influence of the parvagum and great
sympathetic nerves, are among the
earliest phenomena, and afford indubit-
able evidence OF brain pressure and
thereby breathing is retarded and made
laborous, and pulmonary circulation
impeded. The blood sent from the
heart to the lungs fails to receive the
supply of oxygen necessary to its decar-
boniZation, hence is returned charged
with effete products: the brain, already
gorged with venom, is doubly poisoned
by the superadded uneliminated carbon
and gives rise to train of symptoms
that, commencing with drowsiness,
pass into stupor that gradually becomes
more and more profound, terminating
in dissolution.
NOT ALWAYS FATAL.
Though SD frequently attended with
dire results, wounds inflicted by ye-
nomous reptiles are not invariably
fatal. There are seasons and periods
when all such creatures are compara-
lively innocuous the venom may have
been diluted or exhausted by repeated
attempts to obtain food it may have
been extruded ere the fangs were bur-
led in the flesh, or absorbed by the
clothing during passage through it.
Woolens are efficient safeguards, and
the fang teeth, so fragile in their con-
nection with the jaw, are frequently
torn out by becoming fixed in the cloth.
Again, some individuals are more sus-
ceptible than others, owing TO varied
causes, and few possess temporary or
permanent immunity that may be
either natural or acquired. Recovery
from one or more inoculations wherein
all the yirulence of the species has been
manifested, is popularity believed to af-
ford ample safeguard against the poison
IN the future. This, however, is a
somewhat mooted question.
To seek specific for poisons of this
class is as irrational as the pursuit of
the philosophers stone." Nostrums
innumerable haye been vaunted and
widely heralded, only to be releGated to
oblivion; and it is difficult to name any
substance so inert or so tilthily nauseous
that il has not had its praises as an an
tidote sung at one time or another.
zone swallow does not make sum-
mer," and the history of the world af-
fords ample evidence that condolences
are far more frequent than facts.
Venom is immediate In its action and
results, consequently cannot be over
taken and overcome by any ordinary
remedy, even though the latter be in
troduced directly into the circulation,
much less if administered by the stom-
ach, when from twenty to thirty min
utes are required for absorption ere it
can reach the blood corpuscles and
nerve centres, both are beyond all aid
save as may be afforded through eli
minatiye and recumperative processes
CT Nature. An antidote, moreover,
presupposes a substance that will re-
store the form, functions, and energies
of the red corpulscles, which would
place man in the possession of one of
the great attributes of his Creator-the
power to produce life anew
Iodine Including its preparations is
the nearest approach to a specific that,
without encroaching upon the Divine
and supernatural, can be looked for :;
thrown into the wound and circulation,
it has the power to arrest decomposI-
ton, and favors adhesive inflammation,
whereby lympth is effused and coagu-
lated, retarding absorption. Other
measures available are l. Prompt
cutting off Of circulation in the part af-
fected. 2. Removal Of unabsorbed
venom from the wound by the lips or
cupping glass. 8. Direct mechanical
stimulation Of heart and lung action,
sustaining life until Nature shall haye
had opportunity to eliminate the poison
which may occur through any or al ex-
cretCry functions; fortunately the econ
omy is provided with innumerable sem